Delete a playlist in three steps

To delete a YouTube playlist, open YouTube, find the playlist in your library, click the three-dot menu next to its name, and select Delete playlist. The entire playlist disappears immediately — the videos themselves stay on YouTube, but your collection of them is gone. You cannot undo this action, so make sure you want it gone before you confirm.

The process works the same whether you are on a computer or the YouTube app on your phone. The three-dot menu is always in the same spot, and the delete option is always there once you click it. Deletion takes effect right away, and there is no confirmation screen that asks you to wait or reconsider.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting a playlist removes only your collection; the videos remain on YouTube and are visible to anyone who searches for them.
  • You can delete a playlist from your library in under a minute using the three-dot menu next to the playlist name.
  • Deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed, so double-check that you want the playlist gone before confirming.
  • If you created a public playlist, deleting it removes it from your channel and from any search results that indexed it.

How to find your playlists on a computer

Open YouTube and sign in to your account. On the left side of the screen, you will see a menu with options like Home, Shorts, Subscriptions, and Library. Click Library — this is where all your playlists live.

You will see sections for "Watch later," "Liked videos," and then any playlists you have created. Scroll down to find the playlist you want to delete. Once you see it, move your mouse over the playlist name and you will notice a three-dot menu icon appear on the right side of that row. Click those three dots to open the menu.

How to find your playlists on a phone or tablet

Open the YouTube app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap Your channel or Playlists, depending on which version of the app you have. You will see all your playlists listed on the screen.

Tap and hold the playlist you want to delete, or look for a three-dot menu icon next to the playlist name. Either action will bring up a menu with the delete option. On some phones, you may need to swipe left on the playlist name to reveal the delete button. The exact location depends on your phone model and which version of the YouTube app you have installed.

What happens when you delete a playlist

When you delete a playlist, only that collection disappears. Every video that was in the playlist remains on YouTube exactly as it was. If someone had a link to one of those videos, they can still watch it. If the videos were public, they still show up in search results and on the creator's channel.

If you created a public playlist and shared it with others, deleting it removes the link they were using. They will no longer be able to access that specific collection, but they can still find and watch the individual videos. The videos do not get removed from YouTube just because you deleted the playlist that contained them.

Difference between deleting and clearing a playlist

Deleting a playlist removes the entire collection permanently. Clearing a playlist removes all the videos from it but keeps the playlist itself — you can add new videos to it later. If you only want to remove some videos but keep the playlist, you can open the playlist, click the three-dot menu next to each video, and select Remove from playlist.

To clear an entire playlist without deleting it, open the playlist, click the three-dot menu at the top, and look for an option like Clear all or Remove all videos. This empties the playlist but leaves it in your library so you can use it again. Clearing is useful if you think you might want to reuse the playlist for a different purpose later.

Recovering a deleted playlist

YouTube does not offer a way to recover a deleted playlist. Once you confirm the deletion, it is gone. The videos are still there, but your specific collection and the order you arranged them in cannot be brought back. There is no trash folder or recovery window where you can change your mind.

If you think you might want the playlist later, consider clearing it instead of deleting it. An empty playlist takes up no space and can be filled again whenever you want. You can also download a list of the videos in the playlist before you delete it, so you have a record of what was in it. Some people take a screenshot or write down the video titles as a backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete someone else's playlist?

No. You can only delete playlists you created. If someone shared a public playlist with you, you cannot delete it — you can only remove it from your library by clicking the three-dot menu and selecting Remove from library.

What if I delete a playlist by accident?

YouTube does not have an undo feature for deleted playlists. If you deleted it recently, you might contact YouTube Support to ask if they can help, but recovery is not may provide. Going forward, consider clearing playlists instead of deleting them if you think you might want them back.

Does deleting a playlist affect my watch history?

No. Your watch history is separate from your playlists. Deleting a playlist does not remove videos from your history or change what YouTube recommends to you.

Can I delete a playlist that other people are subscribed to?

Yes. If you created a public playlist that others subscribed to, you can still delete it. When you do, those people will no longer see it in their subscriptions, and the link will stop working.

Will the videos in my playlist get deleted from YouTube?

No. Deleting your playlist only removes your collection. The videos themselves remain on YouTube and stay on the creator's channel. Anyone can still search for them and watch them.